Mercedes-Benz EQA ready to be ordered in Europe
As we step towards an era of electric vehicles, brands are slowly coming up with ways to make their vehicles even more luxurious and futuristic. Among these brands is of course Mercedes-Benz who have just announced that their highly anticipated EQA is ready and can be ordered online. Of course, being a third world country, we might have to wait a bit longer to get our hands on one of these luxury EQA’s but that does not mean we cannot find out what to expect.
Standard specifications on the EQA includes features such as LED High Performance headlamps with Adaptive Highbeam Assist, the EASY-PACK tailgate with electrically operated opening and closing, 18-inch light-alloy wheels, ambient lighting with 64 colours, a double cup holder, luxury seats with four-way adjustable lumbar support, a reversing camera for added convenience and a better overview when manoeuvring, and a multifunction sports steering wheel in leather. Of course, its cabin will get the state-of-the-art infotainment system MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) and the Navigation with Electric Intelligence system.
The EQA will get Mercedes me Charge which sees customers have access to the world’s biggest charging network. This will see 450 000 AC and DC charging points across 31 countries (South Africa not included). Mercedes me Charge will allow Mercedes-EQ customers to charge their EQA models without the worry of not having access to one. Mercedes-Benz has not been shy on the fact that the EQA has taken some inspiration form the GLA, making it a more productive and comfortable drive. The EQA or EQA 250 gets an output of 140 kW, and after the market launch it will get a further power level up to over 200 kW as well as a variant with allwheel drive will successively follow.
The EQA 250 does get a combined power consumption of 15.7 kWh/100 km. Its range after charging via Mercedes me Charge will be 500kilometers. Those who purchase the EQA will get one year of Mercedes me Charge to. So far, the EQA 250 has become available in parts of Europe, with South Africa having to wait till 2022. The future is looking promising for Mercedes-Benz as they have an additional luxury EQS to hit the market soon.
Also worth a look: the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Celebrates 140 Years with an Epic Glob and the Mercedes-Benz Gla.
FAQ
Q: What does the Mercedes-Benz EQA cost in South Africa?
The Mercedes-Benz EQA is expected to start around R950,000 to R1,200,000 when it arrives in South Africa, though official local pricing hasn't been confirmed yet since it's currently only available for order in Europe.
Q: Is the Mercedes-Benz EQA worth buying?
The EQA offers solid luxury electric SUV credentials with 140 kW output, premium MBUX infotainment, and typical Mercedes build quality, making it worth considering if you want a premium electric SUV and can afford the likely R1 million plus price tag.
Q: What is the range and charging capability of the Mercedes EQA?
While Mercedes hasn't released full SA specifications yet, the EQA 250 is expected to offer around 426 km of range and supports both AC and DC fast charging through the Mercedes me Charge network, though South Africa isn't included in the initial 450,000 charging point network.
Q: When will the Mercedes EQA be available in South Africa?
Mercedes-Benz hasn't announced an official South African launch date for the EQA, but given the brand's typical timeline for bringing European models to SA, expect it to arrive sometime in 2024 or 2025.
Should You Buy It?
The Mercedes-Benz EQA looks promising as a luxury electric SUV option, but hold your horses until it actually lands in South Africa. With an expected price starting around R950,000 to R1,200,000, it'll compete directly with the BMW iX3 and Audi e-tron models in the premium electric SUV space. The 140 kW output is decent but not earth-shattering, and while the MBUX system and premium interior are definite highlights, the lack of charging infrastructure support in SA could be a dealbreaker. Wait for official local pricing and specifications before making any deposit, because at over R1 million, you want to be absolutely sure this electric Merc suits your needs and budget.
